Comments on: Desperate banks fall for the 419 advance-fee fraud http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Nagurski http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496537 Nagurski Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496537 This it totally being run out of a boiler room at Goldman Sachs. This it totally being run out of a boiler room at Goldman Sachs.

]]> By: BillStewart2012 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496507 BillStewart2012 Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496507 The banks that are that desperate have mostly been gambling on derivatives they don't understand and Credit Default Swaps on securities that are designed not to be understood.  It's bad enough that many of them were doing mortgages with inadequate down payments during the housing bubble, so that when housing prices declined they put themselves at significant risk. With all that, what's a little 419 fraud on top... The banks that are that desperate have mostly been gambling on derivatives they don’t understand and Credit Default Swaps on securities that are designed not to be understood.  It’s bad enough that many of them were doing mortgages with inadequate down payments during the housing bubble, so that when housing prices declined they put themselves at significant risk.

With all that, what’s a little 419 fraud on top…

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496469 IronEdithKidd Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496469 The premise made me laugh, then I remembered who funds the FDIC and I cried. The premise made me laugh, then I remembered who funds the FDIC and I cried.

]]> By: nmcvaugh http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496287 nmcvaugh Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496287 <blockquote>Ultimately, these parties have required the targeted institutions to pay, in advance, retention and due diligence fees, as well as other costs.</blockquote>There's the problem (or is it merely a symptom?) - when did due diligence become a commodity?

Ultimately, these parties have required the targeted institutions to pay, in advance, retention and due diligence fees, as well as other costs.

There’s the problem (or is it merely a symptom?) – when did due diligence become a commodity?

]]> By: Tynam http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496209 Tynam Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496209 It's pretty widely known to people who've seen Avenue Q, even if they didn't before.  (And if you haven't, do.) It’s pretty widely known to people who’ve seen Avenue Q, even if they didn’t before.  (And if you haven’t, do.)

]]> By: Lemoutan http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496198 Lemoutan Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496198 Nah, we're stuck with <em>shadyjoy</em> or something like that. Probably from Old English. Who knows. Nah, we’re stuck with shadyjoy or something like that. Probably from Old English. Who knows.

]]> By: Lemoutan http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496196 Lemoutan Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496196 <blockquote><q>... for distribution to 370 successful claimants who has being Victims of Internet scam</q></blockquote> Perfect.

… for distribution to 370 successful claimants who has being Victims of Internet scam

Perfect.

]]> By: rationalthought http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496192 rationalthought Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496192 @MrRocking:disqus @niktemadur:disqus  Schadenfreude: in German (and in English since 1990), though in English it's not a widely known term. @MrRocking:disqus
@niktemadur:disqus

 Schadenfreude: in German (and in English since 1990), though in English it’s not a widely known term.

]]> By: TheMudshark http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496190 TheMudshark Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496190 Man, those poor bankers never catch a break, do they? Man, those poor bankers never catch a break, do they?

]]> By: digi_owl http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496141 digi_owl Thu, 02 Aug 2012 06:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496141 Claiming to keep your money safe while the execs are actually spending it on coke and hookers. Claiming to keep your money safe while the execs are actually spending it on coke and hookers.

]]> By: stuck411 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496084 stuck411 Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496084 Falling for one of these scams should lead to the immediate take over by the FDIC -- no second chances, do not pass go, you just failed. Falling for one of these scams should lead to the immediate take over by the FDIC — no second chances, do not pass go, you just failed.

]]> By: MrQuagmire http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496060 MrQuagmire Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496060 Too dumb to fail.  Too dumb to fail. 

]]> By: technogeekagain http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496044 technogeekagain Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496044 Y'know, if the banks were forced to start acting like _banks_ again -- lending money to people with decent credit at reasonable rates -- rather than gambling with the money, we'd all be better off. Long past time to re-regulate. Heck, I've heard _bankers_ saying that. Y’know, if the banks were forced to start acting like _banks_ again — lending money to people with decent credit at reasonable rates — rather than gambling with the money, we’d all be better off.

Long past time to re-regulate. Heck, I’ve heard _bankers_ saying that.

]]> By: Hampton Scribbs http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1496005 Hampton Scribbs Thu, 02 Aug 2012 02:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1496005 The name of this particular con is "The Spanish Prisoner." The name of this particular con is “The Spanish Prisoner.”

]]> By: Illudium_Phosdex http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495953 Illudium_Phosdex Thu, 02 Aug 2012 01:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495953 DEAR SIR: I AM TIMOTHY GEITHNER, SECRETARY TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES AMERICA. I HAVE RECENTLY COME INTO POSSESSION OF SEVEN HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS MISLAID BY MISTER BENN BERNANKY. AM PREPARED TO DELIVER TO YOUR BANK THE SUM OF FIFTY BILLION DOLLARS PROVIDED THAT YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE GOOD FAITH AND COLATERAL. PLEASE EMAIL TO TURBOTAXTIMMY@TREAS.USA.GOV. DEAR SIR:

I AM TIMOTHY GEITHNER, SECRETARY TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES AMERICA.

I HAVE RECENTLY COME INTO POSSESSION OF SEVEN HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS MISLAID BY MISTER BENN BERNANKY.

AM PREPARED TO DELIVER TO YOUR BANK THE SUM OF FIFTY BILLION DOLLARS PROVIDED THAT YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE GOOD FAITH AND COLATERAL.

PLEASE EMAIL TO TURBOTAXTIMMY@TREAS.USA.GOV.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495931 niktemadur Thu, 02 Aug 2012 01:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495931 There's <i>skadefryd</i> in Norwegian, <i>skadeglädje</i> in Swedish, <i>vahingonilo</i> in Finnish, and another in German I think, which eludes me at the moment  :-P There’s skadefryd in Norwegian, skadeglädje in Swedish, vahingonilo in Finnish, and another in German I think, which eludes me at the moment  :-P

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495923 That_Anonymous_Coward Thu, 02 Aug 2012 01:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495923 *stares*  That would never happen, they are much more likely to sue AOL for allowing the spam to make it to their inbox. *stares*  That would never happen, they are much more likely to sue AOL for allowing the spam to make it to their inbox.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495918 niktemadur Thu, 02 Aug 2012 01:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495918 Ever since the repeal of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass%E2%80%93Steagall_Act" rel="nofollow">Glass-Steagall Act</a>, who the hell knows? Ever since the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, who the hell knows?

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495871 mccrum Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495871 "Jim, you fell for the 419 scam, so we're taking away your ability to use e-mail." “Jim, you fell for the 419 scam, so we’re taking away your ability to use e-mail.”

]]> By: Jake0748 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495869 Jake0748 Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495869 Fuckin banks... how do they work?  Fuckin banks… how do they work? 

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495864 Gilbert Wham Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495864  Yes. Despite repeated demonstrations that random number generators/toddlers/quite possibly that fuckin' world cup octopus do fairly evenly on the markets, people do, indeed pay these fuckers. Because we're all stupider than an octopus.  Yes. Despite repeated demonstrations that random number generators/toddlers/quite possibly that fuckin’ world cup octopus do fairly evenly on the markets, people do, indeed pay these fuckers. Because we’re all stupider than an octopus.

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495860 timquinn Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495860 "Mr Jones, can you tell this committee what happened to the 2 billion dollars you were entrusted with?" "Well, Mister Senator, you see, there was this email and I . . . " “Mr Jones, can you tell this committee what happened to the 2 billion dollars you were entrusted with?”

“Well, Mister Senator, you see, there was this email and I . . . “

]]> By: JProffitt71 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495853 JProffitt71 Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495853 I am more wary of how they are going to 'socialize' the loss. I am more wary of how they are going to ‘socialize’ the loss.

]]> By: Manuel Smirnoff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495846 Manuel Smirnoff Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495846 Conning the con-men. Sweet. If only the loss came out of the pocket of the person responsible, but he'll probably get a huge bonus, instead. Conning the con-men. Sweet. If only the loss came out of the pocket of the person responsible, but he’ll probably get a huge bonus, instead.

]]> By: nixiebunny http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495845 nixiebunny Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495845 This appeared in my inbox today. It may help: The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) in affiliation with Federal Bureau Of Investigation In United State Of America has made available a total of $863,725,490.00 to 27 governments and two international organizations for distribution to 370 successful claimants who has being Victims of Internet scam. This payment is made under the third phase of the payment mechanism established by the UNCC Governing Council and the Government Of the United State. The truth behind your delayed payment is that you have been dealing with fraudsters in Nigeria, London etc. And you really need to stop contacting them now else they will rip you dry until you dont have even money to buy food. I will happily forward it to the hapless bankers so that they may get their monies back. This appeared in my inbox today. It may help:

The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) in affiliation with Federal Bureau Of Investigation In United State Of America has made available a total of $863,725,490.00 to 27 governments and two international organizations for distribution to 370 successful claimants who has being Victims of Internet scam. This payment is made under the third phase of the payment mechanism established by the UNCC Governing Council and the Government Of the United State. The truth behind your delayed payment is that you have been dealing with fraudsters in Nigeria, London etc. And you really need to stop contacting them now else they will rip you dry until you dont have even money to buy food.

I will happily forward it to the hapless bankers so that they may get their monies back.

]]> By: Lemoutan http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495841 Lemoutan Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495841 These people have jobs? Somebody gives them a salary? These people have jobs? Somebody gives them a salary?

]]> By: MrRocking http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495837 MrRocking Wed, 01 Aug 2012 23:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495837 I wish there was a word for the pleasure I feel at their misfortune... I wish there was a word for the pleasure I feel at their misfortune…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/08/01/desperate-banks-fall-for-the-4.html#comment-1495824 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 01 Aug 2012 23:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=174314#comment-1495824 I'm sure that those foolish bankers will make good their errors out of their own pockets. What?  No, really? I’m sure that those foolish bankers will make good their errors out of their own pockets.

What?  No, really?

]]>